Zoo Escapades

“Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in any way.” – John Muir

Zoos are popular for many reasons. Some people enjoy the contact with nature, others feel as though they get a chance to see things they have never seen before, and in many zoos, you can see a larger variety of animals in one day than you might see in weeks of traveling to other destinations.

While recreational fun is always a good thing, more than that can be provided! Zoos teach people about the importance of nature, they provide the opportunity to study wild animals, and they give many endangered species a place to call home.

Learn about a few specific zoos in the United States!

Dallas Zoo

I’ve lived in Dallas for about five years now, but I had yet to venture out to the Dallas Zoo! Thankfully, I had a chance to do that this week, and it was a great experience!

“The Dallas Zoo dates from the spring of 1888 when a man from Colorado City offered to sell two deer and two mountain lions to the City of Dallas.” Since then, its changed locations, grown significantly, and required a lot more animals! This particular zoo has a mission to “become a leading US zoo and a premier entertainment, educational and visitor attraction in Dallas.”

Check out these quick Did You Know facts, that exist on the Dallas Zoo – About Us page:

March 2012 marked the highest attendance in the 125-year history of the Zoo. And 2013 set an all-time attendance record for the fourth consecutive year, with 915,971 guests visiting Texas’ largest and oldest zoo.

Giants of the Savanna is the only multi-species zoo exhibit in the United States to mix elephants and other species in the same habitat.

The Dallas Zoo is the only zoo in Texas and one of only 10 zoos in the nation to have koalas.

It is unusual for zoos to exhibit three different species of flamingos, yet the Dallas Zoo features Caribbean, Chilean, and lesser flamingos. In addition, the Zoo had three successful hatchings of flamingo chicks in one year.

Twenty percent of the okapi in the United States and Japan were born or bred at the Dallas Zoo.

The Dallas Zoo is the “hottest” Zoo in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, maintaining more than 70 species of venomous reptiles.

The Nature Exchange, a unique swap shop where children earn points for natural items they bring in, at the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo was one of the first of its kind in the United States.

Now, take the time to virtually relive my experience at the Dallas Zoo by watching this Instagram video of White-Cheek Gibbons (not monkeys) playing around, and looking at some pictures below 🙂

West Coast Zoo vs. East Coast Zoo

Now that you’ve learned a bit about one of the zoos in the south, check out the San Diego Zoo on the West Coast, and Zoo Miami on the East Coast, and see which one you like better!

We’re even having a Tug of War contest about both zoos, where you can vote for your favorite to win a prize! Click below to enter!

The San Diego Zoo, as I stated before in the post, “San Diego Delights,” is an “urban paradise for all ages” and home to more than 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species from around the world.

Zoo Miami, also known as The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, is the “largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, and the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.” The unique climate in South Florida provides a great home of almost 750 acres, for more than 3,000 animals representing over 500 different species.

As you can see, each zoo provides a unique experience! And, you can even explore them both by using the Hertz NeverLost Companion application!

Use the Hertz NeverLost Companion mobile app to go on your own zoo escapade!

The Navigation Solutions Team

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